Do you love heavy workouts? And let’s be real; the answer should be no. No one wants to do heavy workouts and get a flex at the start of a busy day. I even hate exercising, as it exhausts me a lot, and eventually, my office work suffers. However, it’s an essential aspect of my life, so I can’t simply miss it.
Meanwhile, I found a great way to exercise with fun and that’s pedal boating. You might think Is Pedal Boating Good Exercise? While it’s been my passion for a couple of years, I have got to know the additional perks a bit later. Now, I always miss the gym and enjoy pedal boating as an alternative to boring and arduous exercises.
Pedal boating is an excellent way to have some exercise. Not only does it benefit your cardiovascular system, but it also works out your thigh, glute, and calve muscles as well.
Let’s explore more about is pedal boating good exercise.
Is Pedal Boating Good Exercise?
The mechanism of a pedal boat is like a bicycle, and it’s a fact that pedaling and cycling are great forms of workout. While it’s true that you may not burn many calories by pedaling for a couple of hours, doing this regularly will keep you fit and healthy all the time.
All you have to do in this venture is to steer, pedal, and launch your pedal boat. These steps involve the whole body workout. For instance, your knee muscles will propel you forward while your back and shoulders remain engaged during pedaling.
Although launching a pedal boat seems like a little task, it can burn up a significant amount of calories. As pedal boats are known for their heavy weight, pushing them to the water’s edge can increase your arm’s strength.
Apart from its benefits for health, some people also argue whether pedal boating is safe or where can we pedal boat. The short answer is, yes it is absolutely safe to pedal a boat and most importantly, there are plenty of spaces where you an go for pedal boating like water parks, lakes, rivers and some oceans as well.
Yes, you can pedal boat in river, but I’d advise you not to pedal a boat on oceans, especially when you’re a beginner. So enjoy this amazing exercising adventure!
How Many Calories Do You Burn in a Pedal Boat?
Generally speaking, a person who weighs 150 lbs can burn around 4 to 7 calories per minute when pedaling at moderate speed. It means you can burn 330 calories in an hour.
The value isn’t very sensible as you may need to pedal for 10 hours to burn fat. But many pedal boaters do that to lose a significant amount of weight. Even when I take my boat on calm water, spending 4 to 5 hours is quite normal for me.
While I am not pedaling all the time, I expect to lose nearly 1000 calories just from pedaling. For reference, the number is exactly the same when doing a workout on a recumbent bike at the gym. Coupled with a nutritious diet, pedal boating can be a great option for weight loss and enhanced fitness.
What Muscles Does Pedal Boating Work?
Pedal boating provides lower-body and cardiovascular workouts. It engages many muscles, including:
- Glutes
- Knee
- Spinalis
- Calf Muscles
- Tibialis Anterior (shin muscles)
- Hamstrings
- Quadriceps
Remember that pedaling will not instantly improve your health. It will take around months to get notable results. So pedal with patience and don’t leave it in the middle of the journey.
5 Additional Perks of Pedal Boating
In addition to getting exercise with fun, pedal boating has numerous other benefits in comparison to other forms of workout.
Back Support
Most aged people can’t do exercise due to problems in their back. However, pedal boats have full back support for them. While many boats contain hard seats, you have to purchase one in order to put your own foam on the seat.
So never let back pain be your excuse to skip working out. Start with the pedal boating now and enjoy a painless flex session.
Reduced Fatigue in Upper Body
Most exercises involve the use of the shoulder, and many people can’t do these due to issues in their upper body. My case is also the same. But with the use of a pedal boat, I am now able to do exercise without any issues.
Built-in Rest Area
What if you run out of stamina and need rest? And holding a chair with you isn’t a sensible idea. However, a pedal boat gives you the opportunity to rest while pedaling, thanks to its comfortable seat.
You can also return to shore to get some rest on your beach house. Once you feel better, you can go to the boat and receive some sun, fun, and exercise.
Exposure to Sun
While getting flexible and having fun together, you can soak up some sunshine as well. As the sun is a great source of vitamin D, you can intake it and enjoy a nutritious ride. Not only does this improve your bones’ strength, but it also gives a boost to your mental health.
Release Stress
No one can doubt the fact that fun is a perfect stress killer. Apart from exercise and fitness, pedal boating is a great way to have some fun with your loved ones. You can enjoy the venture, and stress will be eventually eliminated from your body.
Making the Most of Your Pedal Boating Workout
Regarding pedal boating, there’s more to it than leisurely glides across the water. Elevate your fitness routine and maximize the benefits with these tips on making the most of your pedal boating workout.
Incorporating Interval Training
Take your pedal boating session to the next level by incorporating interval training. Instead of maintaining a steady pace, mix in bursts of high-intensity pedaling followed by periods of lower intensity or rest. This approach not only adds a cardiovascular challenge but also boosts calorie burn.
Benefits of Interval Training on a Pedal Boat:
- Increased Caloric Expenditure: Intervals elevate your heart rate, leading to a more significant calorie burn than a steady-state workout.
- Enhanced Cardiovascular Fitness: Alternating between high and low-intensity periods improves cardiovascular endurance.
- Time-Efficient Workouts: Interval training allows you to achieve effective results in less time, making it ideal for those with busy schedules.
How to Perform Interval Workout:
- Warm up with five minutes of steady pedaling.
- Sprint for one minute at maximum effort.
- Recover with two minutes of light pedaling.
- Repeat the cycle for 20-30 minutes.
- Cool down with five minutes of relaxed pedaling.
Group Pedal Boating Activities
Pedal boating doesn’t have to be a solo endeavor. Gather friends or family and turn it into a group activity. Not only does this add a social component to your workout, but it also introduces an element of friendly competition, motivating everyone to pedal harder.
Benefits of Group Pedal Boating:
- Motivation and Accountability: Exercising with others provides motivation, helping you stay committed to your fitness goals.
- Social Interaction: Group activities foster community and can turn a workout into a fun, shared experience.
- Variety in Workouts: Group activities can involve games, races, or synchronized pedaling, adding variety to your routine.
Ideas for Group Pedal Boating:
- Organize races or timed challenges.
- Bring along some healthy snacks for a mid-lake picnic.
- Rotate pedal boat partners during the session for variety.
Exploring Different Water Bodies for Variety
Stay within one water location. Explore different bodies of water to add variety to your pedal boating workouts. Whether it’s a serene lake, a winding river, or the open sea, each environment presents unique challenges and scenic views.
Benefits of Exploring Various Water Bodies:
- Challenging Terrain: Different water bodies offer varying currents and conditions, challenging your pedaling muscles in new ways.
- Mental Stimulation: Exploring diverse landscapes can be mentally refreshing, making your workout more enjoyable.
- Enhanced Connection with Nature: Experiencing nature from different perspectives contributes to holistic well-being.
Tips for Water Exploration:
- Research local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas for pedal boating opportunities.
- Check weather conditions and water regulations before venturing into new locations.
- Always prioritize safety and consider guided tours for unfamiliar waters.
Frequently Asked Questions – (FAQs)
What does pedaling do for your legs?
Pedaling improves overall function and blood flow in your lower body and strengthens your knee muscles. When you pedal forward, your quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes are most targeted. This activity will improve your leg strength without overstressing your joints.
Are pedal boats hard to use?
To be honest, using Pedal boats isn’t hard job. It’s like riding a stationary bicycle. However, the statement is true as long as you follow proper instructions to operate a pedal boat. You can enjoy fun, easy operating and exercise in a pedal boat.
Wrapping Up – Is Pedal Boating Good Exercise
Most people don’t use pedal boats as a source of exercise; it is just an amusing perk that people enjoy. If you are looking for a way to have fun and flex together, a pedal boat is might what you need. Even if you can’t exercise due to back pain, this fun chore can be a great alternative to painful workouts.
In the end, we have got the answer ‘yes’ to the question: is pedal boating good exercise? It will improve your cardiovascular health, muscular strength, and mental health. The additional fun and exposure to nature make it awesome. So don’t wait; buy a pedal boat (if you don’t have one), and never let exercise exhaust you again.
Jack Bennett, a passionate pedal boating enthusiast, and marine engineer by day, is here to share my knowledge and love for this exciting sport with you all. Happy Boating!